The Fight Back Fund is a left-of-center pro-labor union organization affiliated with and operated by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150, the labor union that represents construction workers in the Chicago area.

The organization acts as a lobbying arm for the union to oppose right-to-work laws and support increased state funding of construction projects, particularly related to funding for roads and infrastructure projects, which in turn will provide more work for union members. The group lobbies locally in Chicago and at the state and local levels in Indiana and Wisconsin, where IUOE Local 150 also represents members. The organization is headed by James Sweeney, who is also president of IUEO Local 150. ^{1 2}

Background

The Fight Back Fund was formed in 2015 by leaders of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150, a large local union that represents construction workers in the greater Chicago area. Local 150 is known as a powerful political force in the Chicago area and was led by labor leader William Dugan until his death in 2020. Dugan and Local 150 were under FBI investigations that ended in 2004 and included investigations for violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act statute and allegations of union members vandalizing construction equipment at non-union construction sites. No charges were filed. ^{3 4}

The Fight Back Fund operates as the political lobbying arm of the IUOE Local 150 and is used by the union to run political advertisements, fund advocacy organizations and think tanks, and oppose right-to-work and other alleged anti-union policies. The organization has consistently lobbied for increased state funding of construction projects, especially roadways and bridges, highlighting the need for replacing many existing pieces of infrastructure. ^{5 6 7}

Activities

Activities of the Fight Back Fund include lobbying for increased funding of state construction projects, opposing right-to-work laws, and running political ads supporting union positions. In 2018, the union launched an ad focused on “unions’ fight for all workers” that stressed the importance and benefits of union membership. ⁸

The organization supports prevailing wage laws, which force the government to pay a mandated “prevailing wage” to workers on government contracts. Such policies have been criticized as a pro-union policy to provide inflated wages to union members. ⁹

The group also supports increased funding for early education and college programs, opposes right-to-work laws, and has published info on the gender pay gap in Illinois. ¹⁰

The Fight Back Fund publicizes what it describes as independent research from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute supporting its positions on right-to-work laws and gender pay equality. The Fight Back Fund is a significant funder of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, giving the organization $150,000 in 2021. ^{11 12 13}

Leadership

James Sweeney is the principal officer of the Fight Back Fund according to tax filings. Sweeney is the president of IUOE Local 150 and worked for the union since 1987, replacing William Dugan as the president of the union upon Dugan’s death in 2020. Sweeney is also general secretary-treasurer of the International Union of Operating Engineers, which is the second-highest position in the international union. ¹⁴

1. “About.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://fightbackwithus.com/about/
2. Fight Back Fund. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/475289211/202213139349302206/full
3. Herguth, Robert. “FBI files detail dropped investigation of clout-heavy Chicago-area union.” Chicago Sun Times. December 16, 2022. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://chicago.suntimes.com/fbi-files/2022/12/16/23510398/fbi-files-william-dugan-operating-engineers-local-150-union-organized-labor
4. Fight Back Fund. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/475289211/202213139349302206/full
5. “About.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://fightbackwithus.com/about/
6. “Investing in Education, Childcare & Public Works Will Grow Our Economy.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023 https://fightbackwithus.com/investing-public-works/
7. Fight Back Fund. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/475289211/202213139349302206/full
8. “Fight Back Fund Launches Ad Focused on Unions’ Fight For All Workers.” Local 150 IUOE. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://local150.org/news/fight-back-fund-launches-ad-focused-on-unions-fight-for-all-workers/
9. “Fighting for Fair Wages.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://fightbackwithus.com/fighting-fair-wages/
10. “Fighting for Fair Wages.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://fightbackwithus.com/fighting-fair-wages/
11. “Protecting Workers Rights.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://fightbackwithus.com/Workers-Rights
12. “Equal Pay for Equal Work.” Fight Back Fund. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://fightbackwithus.com/Wage-Equality/
13. Fight Back Fund. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/475289211/202213139349302206/full
14. “James M. Sweeney.” Local 150 IUOE. Accessed August 20, 2023. https://local150.org/local150/about/our-leaders/james-m-sweeney/